Understanding the Role of Alcohol in Acute Pancreatitis

While alcohol is known to sensitize the pancreas to acute injury, the role of short-term episodic drinking in regular drinkers is unknown. To address this, researchers from PHI’s Alcohol Research Group conducted the first case-crossover epidemiologic study to examine how short-term drinking patterns influence the onset of acute pancreatitis (AP)—an isolated event caused by sudden inflammation of the pancreas that causes severe abdominal pain and usually requires hospitalization. By studying individuals with both first-time and recurrent AP, the research provided new insights into drinking behaviors that may have contributed to an attack, helping to inform prevention strategies for those at risk.

Key Findings:

• Alcohol consumption increased in the two days before hospitalization. Patients reported significantly higher alcohol intake in the 48 hours before an AP attack compared to the prior week, suggesting a hazardous drinking period.
• Moderate-to-heavy drinking was common among AP patients. Among the 141 study participants, 77 had recurrent AP, and 64 had a first episode. Both groups regularly engaged in moderate-to-heavy drinking with modest variation in daily intake.
• Patients with a history of AP faced a greater risk of recurrence. Heavy drinking in the hazardous period was associated with recurrent AP but was not linked to first-time cases, suggesting that individuals with prior episodes may be more vulnerable to repeat attacks.

These findings underscore the need for sustained investment in recovery housing research, policy development, and data monitoring. By informing strategies to expand access and improve housing stability, the study laid the groundwork for future initiatives aimed at strengthening recovery support nationwide.

A version of this story first appeared in ARG’s 2024 impact report.